Curling gripping member and method

Abstract

A curling gripping member for use in a device for lifting immobile patients. The gripping member can have a base unit (11) including several spaced-apart generally wedge-shaped segments (33) extending from a transverse fin (30) connected to a flexible bottom backing panel (20). A tensioning cable running through the segments can drive the curling of the member. In the curled configuration of the member, adjacent segments can contact each other to prevent further curling. The bottom backing panel can have various thicknesses or other features that control the flexibility of the gripping member and thus which longitudinal regions curl more sharply first. The base unit, including the bottom panel, fin, and segments, can be injection molded as a single integral piece within a simple clam shell type.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63392841, filed Jul. 27, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an automated mechanical lifting device, and more particularly to a device for lifting immobile patients.

Background Art

[0003] Numerous devices have been proposed for lifting immobile medical patients so as not to require a large number of strong and skilled operators fully prepared. An automated patient lifting device is described in Simson's U.S. Patent No. 10238565 (hereinafter, "Simson") and shown in Simson's U.S. Patent No. D879302, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. As shown in FIG. 1, this patient lift 1 can include a support frame 2 that supports several gripping members 3, 4, 5, 6 extending from the support frame. Each removable gripping member can be attached to a dedicated port 7 on the frame that allows for servicing or replacing a defective gripping member. As shown in FIG. 2, each gripping member can be curled inward to reach beneath the body to be lifted and driven to curl around the body. The curling can be driven by a motor inside the frame and / or manually using a handle 8.

[0004] As further disclosed in Simson, in the situation of a seated patient, such as a person with lower body paralysis, for example, the members can extend beneath the thigh region and behind the patient's torso to grip the patient. Since each member can curl rather than simply translate as a non-curling clamp, the width of the device remains substantially constant during operation of the device, significantly improving the usefulness of the device within the narrow confines of an individual's living space.

[0005] Simson further provides that the members can transition smoothly and continuously from a substantially flat, open configuration, as shown in Figure 1, to a curled, arcuate configuration, as shown in Figure 2. Each member can use trapezoidal segments attached to a flexible back or outer panel, which can serve as hinge connections between the segments. The hinge movement between all segments occurs simultaneously along the longitudinal dimension of the member, thereby achieving smooth, continuous curling.

[0006] Simson further provides that a bendable top or inner panel can be used to drive the curling of the gripping members. Alternatively, a cable acting similar to the flexor tendons in the fingers can be used to curl the gripping members. Elasticity in the back panel can cause the gripping members to spring back to their flat configuration when tension on the cable is released.

[0007] Unfortunately, the gripping members described in Simson can be relatively complex, requiring skilled and precise manufacturing and assembly of a variety of separately molded parts, which can lead to increased manufacturing costs. Furthermore, where the segments join to the back panel between them, the mechanical strain on the back panel is increased, requiring the panel to be stronger and less flexible. Repeated dynamic loading of the members can lead to rapid wear of the back panel and many other interconnected parts. Thus, frequent repairs or replacement of parts can be expected during the life of the lifting equipment, which can significantly increase the cost of operation.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a curling grip panel that addresses some or all of the above-identified shortcomings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10,238,565 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. D879,302 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0010] The main and secondary objects of the present invention are to provide an improved curling gripping member for a lifting device. These and other objects are achieved by a compatible gripping member including spaced fins. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0011] In some embodiments, a gripping member device for use in a lifting apparatus is provided, the device comprising a flexible bottom panel extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, a plurality of fins extending upwardly from the flexible bottom panel, the fins being longitudinally spaced apart, a first series of spaced segments connected to the fins, the first segment being the first segment of the spaced segments, the second segment being the second segment of the spaced segments, the first fin being the first fin of the fins, the second fin being the second fin of the fins, the first segment extending longitudinally from the first fin away from the flexible bottom panel, the first segment supporting a first bearing surface, the second segment extending longitudinally from the second fin, the second segment supporting a second bearing surface, the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface being spaced apart from each other by a first longitudinal distance while the gripping member is in a non-curled configuration, the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface being spaced apart from each other by a second longitudinal distance while the gripping member is in an arcuate configuration, the second longitudinal distance being less than the first longitudinal distance.

[0012] In some embodiments, the second longitudinal distance is zero, whereby the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface contact each other while the gripping member is in an arcuate configuration.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first segment further includes a longitudinal undercut between the first support surface and the flexible bottom panel.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first segment further includes a forwardly extending protrusion that supports the first support surface, a rearwardly extending protrusion that supports the rear support surface, a forward longitudinal undercut between the first support surface and the flexible bottom panel, and a rear longitudinal undercut between the rear support surface and the flexible bottom panel.

[0015] In some embodiments, the second segment extends longitudinally from the second fin away from the flexible bottom panel.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first segment extends laterally a distance beyond the side edge of the flexible bottom panel.

[0017] In some embodiments, the device further includes a plurality of spaced apart nibs extending laterally from the side edge, each nib supporting one of the segments as a fulcrum.

[0018] In some embodiments, the device further includes a flexible cover panel slidably contacting each fin along the upper surface of each fin.

[0019] In some embodiments, the device further includes an elastic pad supported by the upper surface of the flexible cover panel.

[0020] In some embodiments, the device further includes an elastic pad fixed on the fin.

[0021] In some embodiments, the elastic pad includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart scallops extending between the fins.

[0022] In some embodiments, the device further comprises a curling mechanism for rotating the fins relative to each other.

[0023] In some embodiments, the curling mechanism comprises a flexible cable extending longitudinally along the member.

[0024] In some embodiments, the device further includes that each of the segments has an arcuate upper edge, and the curvature of the arcuate upper edge is selected to match the curvature of the member while the gripping member is in an arcuate configuration.

[0025] In some embodiments, the device further includes that each of the segments comprises a longitudinal arcuate channel along the arcuate upper edge, and the channel is dimensioned to allow passage of a cable therethrough.

[0026] In some embodiments, the cable comprises a loop having a first arm extending longitudinally along a first side of the member, a second arm extending longitudinally along a second side of the member, and a fastener connecting the first arm to the second arm, and the fastener adjusts the separation distance between the first arm and the second arm.

[0027] In some embodiments, the fastener comprises a turnbuckle.

[0028] In some embodiments, the device further includes that the panel has a variable thickness between a proximal end and a distal end, and the variable thickness tapers substantially linearly between a first thickness and a second thickness.

[0029] In some embodiments, the device further includes that the panel has a variable thickness between a proximal end and a distal end, and the variable thickness provides a discontinuous thickness that decreases gradually between successive pairs of fins.

[0030] In some embodiments, the device further includes that the fins have a height that decreases gradually from the proximal end to the distal end.

[0031] In some embodiments, a device for use with a lifting device is provided, the device comprising a flexible bottom panel extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, the flexible bottom panel extending laterally between side edges, a flexible bottom panel, at least one fin extending upwardly from the flexible bottom panel and extending longitudinally between side edges, and a first segment attached to a first end of the fin, the first segment comprising a protrusion extending longitudinally from the first fin away from the flexible bottom panel.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first segment further comprises a protrusion that projects longitudinally beyond the longitudinal extent of the fin to form a longitudinal undercut between the protrusion and the flexible bottom panel.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first segment extends longitudinally beyond the longitudinal extent of the side edge adjacent to the fin.

[0034] In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a curling gripping member for a lifting device is provided, the method comprising selecting a gripping member structure that curls in a longitudinal cross-section, further selecting the gripping member structure to have a base unit fabricated from a single piece of material, the base unit comprising a solid flexible bottom panel having an upper surface, a first fin extending upwardly from the upper surface, and a second fin extending upwardly from the upper surface, the first fin and the second fin being longitudinally spaced apart, further comprising a first pair of segments joined to side ends on both sides of the first fin, and a second pair of segments joined to side ends on both sides of the second fin, injecting the base unit using a clam shell mold, installing a curling mechanism within the base unit, and securing a flexible cover fabricated from an elastic material to the base unit.

[0035] The original text of the original claim is incorporated herein by reference as describing features in some embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036] [Figure 1] It is a schematic perspective view of the prior art of a patient lift having a detachable curling grip member with a non-curled configuration. [Figure 2] It is a schematic perspective view of the prior art of the patient lift of FIG. 1 having a curling grip member with a curled configuration. [Figure 3] It is a schematic upper front left side perspective view of the base unit of the curling grip member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a schematic bottom rear right side perspective view of the base unit of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a schematic enlarged partial perspective view of the base unit of FIG. 3 as seen in circle 5-5. [Figure 6] It is a schematic enlarged partial perspective view of the base unit of FIG. 4 as seen in circle 6-6. [Figure 7] It is a schematic right side elevation view of the base unit with a tension applying cable installed. [Figure 8] It is a schematic partial top view of the base unit of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a schematic cross-sectional end view of the base unit of FIG. 8 as seen in line 9-9. [Figure 10] It is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of the grip members with non-curled and curled configurations. [Figure 11] It is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of the grip member having an elastic pad with a serrated bottom surface. [Figure 12] It is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of a pair of adjacent segments extending from a variable thickness backing panel. [Figure 13] It is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of a series of segments spanning each part of the backing panel having a discontinuous decreasing thickness. [Figure 14]Flowchart of a method for manufacturing a gripping member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0037] As used herein, references to up, down, above, below, upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, lateral, transverse, rear, front, proximal, distal, etc. can be used to provide a clear reference frame for various structures relative to other structures that are normally oriented in the drawings being referred to. These references should not be treated as absolute when the reference frame changes, such as when the device is inverted, shown laterally, or disassembled.

[0038] As used herein, the term "substantially" can be used with respect to manufacturing inaccuracies and inaccuracies that can lead to asymmetry and other inaccuracies in the shape, dimensional setting, orientation, and positioning of various structures. Further, the use of "substantially" in relation to specific geometries and orientations such as "parallel" and "perpendicular" can be provided as a guide for generally describing the functions of various structures and also as a guide for allowing a slight deviation from exact mathematical geometries such as cylinders, discs, and cones and their orientations while still providing a similar function. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand the degree to which deviation from mathematically exact geometric standards can be tolerated.

[0039] As used herein, the term "axial" is for referring to a direction, movement, or force that acts substantially parallel to or along the axis in question, and does not refer to a rotational direction, a radial direction, an angular direction, a movement or force, or a torsional force.

[0040] As used herein, the unit "millimeter" or "millimeters" can be abbreviated as "mm", and the unit "centimeter" or "centimeters" can be abbreviated as "cm".

[0041] This specification may refer to the use of a number of patches or layers of hook and loop fabric fasteners, such as VELCRO brand fasteners available from Velcro USA Inc. of Manchester, New Hampshire, where in this fastener, a patch of a first type (either hook or loop) of hook and loop fabric fastener can be releasably fastened to a patch of the opposite type. For example, if it is a hook type patch, it will be releasably adhered to a loop type patch or some other common loosely woven fabric. For clarity, such fasteners are referred to herein as fabric fasteners, and patches of fabric fasteners adhere to corresponding patches of fabric fasteners. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand which type is best used for any given patch and whether the types of mating patches can be interchanged.

[0042] Referring now to the drawings, a base unit 11 of a gripping member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in a flat, uncurled, open configuration of the gripping member is shown in FIGS. 3-7. The base unit can be manufactured from a single piece of a durable injection molded solid material, such as a durable and strong industrial plastic like polypropylene or polyethylene. The base unit can be substantially symmetric with respect to a longitudinal cross-section that extends in a vertical direction indicated by arrow V and along a central longitudinal axis 16. The base unit can have a proximal end 12 for connection to a port on a patient lift device similar to that shown in FIG. 1, and a distal end 13 opposite in the longitudinal direction for forming the tip of the gripping member.

[0043] As mainly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base unit 11, and thus the gripping member, can include a bottom backing panel 20, which can be a substantially flat sheet in an uncured configuration as shown. The bottom panel can be generally quadrilateral having a proximal edge 22, an opposite distal edge 23, and a pair of side edges 24, 25.

[0044] As mainly shown in Figure 3, a series of reinforcing fins 30 that transversely cross in the longitudinal direction and are spaced apart can extend upward from the upper surface of the bottom panel and can span the lateral dimension of the bottom panel. The fins can have progressively decreasing vertical heights h1, h2, h3...hn as the fins proceed toward the distal end 13 of the base unit.

[0045] Two continua 31, 32 consisting of substantially pentagonal substantially home plate-shaped rotation limiting segments 33 can extend from the side ends on both sides of the fin 30. In other words, each fin can have a dedicated pair of laterally spaced segments that are symmetric with respect to the central vertical longitudinal section. The combination of the fin and the dedicated segment pair for the fin can be called a cantle unit.

[0046] As clearly shown in Figures 5 to 7, each individual segment 42 has a lower wedge-shaped portion that tapers downward to form a fulcrum 43, whereby a pair of longitudinal undercuts 49a, 49b can be formed that span the leading edge and the trailing edge of the lower wedge-shaped portion. The fulcrum can be joined to a nib 26 that extends laterally beyond the relevant edge 24 of the bottom panel 20. In this way, the segment can extend laterally away from the bottom panel. To ensure the flexibility of the panel, a gap G can be formed between the innermost lateral portion of the segment and the edge of the bottom panel. The fin 32 can be joined to the nib and the segment to strengthen the interface between the nib and the segment. In this way, to increase the longitudinal flexibility of the bottom panel, the contact area between the bottom panel and the fin can be minimized. In other words, except for the location where the fin contacts the upper surface of the bottom panel, the entire bottom panel can still show enhanced lateral rigidity while freely bending during curling in the vertical plane.

[0047] Each segment 42 can also have an upper part with an arcuate concave upper edge 45 and a pair of longitudinally projecting projections 77, 78 that support the support surfaces 47, 48. The support surfaces 47, 48 are each oriented such that when that part of the base unit reaches the fully curled configuration of the base unit, they contact firmly and robustly the support surfaces on the adjacent segments, thus restricting further rotation of the cantle unit relative to the adjacent cantle units. The first projection 77 can project rearward and the second projection 78 can project forward.

[0048] The lateral thickness of each segment 42 serves to remove material to reduce weight and waste. Cavities 59 are formed within the segment, resulting in various wall and gusset structures that maintain strength and rigidity.

[0049] It should be noted that, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the height of a part of the upper edge 45 of each segment 42 can be made equal to the height of the upper edge 31 of the fin 32 to which the segment is attached. In this way, the upper surface of the base unit 11 of the gripping member can slide smoothly to the base unit directly below the lower surface of the upper cover and / or pad, which will be further described below.

[0050] Mainly referring to FIG. 7, the curling of the base unit 11 of the gripping member can be driven by a curling mechanism that can include a tension - applying member in the form of a cable 50 that extends longitudinally from an outlet 51b at the proximal end 12 to an anchor 52 near the distal end 13. The cable can be made of wound strands of stainless steel or other strong flexible material. A motor or crank disposed within a lifting device can apply tension to the cable by pulling on a terminal cap 53b formed at the free end of the cable. It should be noted that the cable can also provide means for supporting the load on the gripping member given by the body being lifted.

[0051] The middle portion of the cable 50 can run through a longitudinally inverted U-shaped channel 44 formed by a curved lip 46 near the arcuate upper edge 45 of each segment 42. The channels of each series of segments are aligned to form a guide path for the cable.

[0052] As mainly shown in FIG. 8, the cable can be formed by a pair of cable arms 54, 55 connected to form a loop, in which loop one arm 54 can run through a first series 40 of segments along one side surface 25 of the bottom panel 20, and the other arm 55 can run through a second series 41 of segments along the opposite side surface 24. Both cable arms can be joined at the distal ends of the cable arms by a turnbuckle connector forming an anchor 52 having a pair of alternately threaded coaxial posts 56a, 56b, and the pair of alternately threaded coaxial posts 56a, 56b are formed distally into the base unit from the most distal cantle unit or engage threaded holes of a pair of cable arm end pieces 57a, 57b slidably mounted in pockets 58 formed integrally with or integral to the most distal cantle unit. The turnbuckle can have a knurled central drum 59 to facilitate manual operation during adjustment. Adjusting the turnbuckle while the gripping member is in an open and uncurled configuration allows adjustment of the length of the cable arm to compensate for inaccuracies in tension application. This can serve to adjust the static tension applied to the cable and prevent back curling of the gripping member when the cable encounters unexpected forces when the gripping member engages the patient's body. A pair of substantially circularly curved cable tracks 61a, 61b facilitate smooth adjustment of the tension along the length of the cable arms. A pair of tabs 62a, 62b can project laterally and forwardly from the upper edge of the track to help prevent the cable arms from accidentally disengaging from the track. The proximal end of each cable arm can extend through corresponding outlets 51a, 51b and terminate with end caps 53a, 53b.

[0053] During curling, when the tension applied to cable arms 54 and 55 increases, the distal segment begins to rise upward. Subsequently, the cable acts against the respective channels of the segments to continuously pull the distal segment pair, enabling it to rotate when the back panel bends. As the cable tension increases, the cable tension gradually causes continuous or simultaneous rotation of the cantle unit from the distal end towards the proximal end. In this way, the cable functions as a tension - applying member that strongly pulls a series of segments simultaneously.

[0054] As shown in the figure, the entire base unit of FIGS. 1 - 9 can be formed in an open and flat configuration of the base unit without an overlapping structure, apart from the curling mechanism cable wiring. Therefore, those skilled in the art of injection - mold manufacturing will understand that in this way, the entire base unit of the gripping member can be injection - molded using a simple clam - shell mold. Thus, the base unit can be made into a single injection - molded part made of flexible plastic, combining all the required structures, flexibility, and load paths required for a fully functional, detachable, and replaceable gripping member. The total number of parts of the base unit can be set to 1.

[0055] Figure 10 shows partial side views of the gripping member in both its open, flat configuration 80a and its closed, curled configuration 80b, with the last five segments being consecutively numbered 1 through 5 starting from the last, most distal segment. The gripping member can include a flexible cover 81 on the upper inside of the gripping member that is fixed to a bottom base unit 86. The cover can be easily fixed to the base unit, for example, via snap fittings or fabric fasteners. The cover can include a flexible cover panel 82 made of a substantially planar, substantially square piece of a durable, flexible, substantially non-compressible solid sheet material, such as a strong industrial plastic like polypropylene or polyethylene. The upper surfaces 83 of the fins and segments of the base unit, as well as the bottom surface 84 of the cover panel 82, can be smooth so as to freely slide relative to each other during curling. A pad 85 made of an elastically compressible foam material can be adhered to the upper surface of the cover panel to enhance the comfort of the lifted patient. Alternatively, the flexible cover panel can be separately fixed to the base unit, and a protective pad made of an elastically compressible foam material can be adapted to cover the composite of the base unit and the cover panel. Additionally, for hygienic reasons, the entire gripping member can be easily inserted into a disposable or washable foam-fitting sleeve made of cloth, plastic, or other flexible sheet material.

[0056] Figure 10 further shows that when the base unit is in its open, flat configuration 80a, the corresponding bearing surfaces 91, 92 of adjacent segments 1, 2 can be angled with respect to each other at an angle A. The angle can be selected such that the curled configuration of the base unit results in a desired radius of curvature R. The radius can be selected to be common to all segments or different for each pair of segments, resulting in a base unit having a variable radius of curvature across the segments. In this way, the continuously adjacent segments 1 - 5 can form a smoothly curved gripping member in the curled configuration 80b.

[0057] Figure 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the gripping member 100, where the cover 101 is attached to the base unit 102. The cover can be made of a flexible compressible material such as plastic foam. The lower surface of the cover is formed to have several longitudinally spaced crenellations 103 that extend into the longitudinal gaps between adjacent fins 104. The crenellations are in a compressed state when the base unit assumes its curled configuration and are thus held by friction upon contact with the fins, preventing unwanted separation of the cover from the middle portion of the base unit.

[0058] Figure 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the base unit 110 that allows for further control of the continuous rotation of the fin and segment pairs relative to each other. The bottom panel 111 can have a thickness that tapers from a first thickness Tp near the proximal end 12 to a second thickness Td near the distal end 13, provided that Tp is thicker than Td. For example, Tp can be selected to have a thickness of 0.125 inches, while Td can have a thickness of 0.06 inches, with the thickness tapering substantially linearly between the two thicknesses.

[0059] Figure 12 also shows some of the more distinct features found in the previous embodiments, namely, the width W of the fin 113 can be made equal to the longitudinal thickness of the fulcrum 114 at the narrowest point N of its width, and the longitudinal undercuts 117, 118 between adjacent segments 120, 121 longitudinally spaced by an interval S can support adjacent angled bearing surfaces 122, 123. This embodiment also more clearly shows that the upper edge 125 of the segment 121 can have a radius of curvature C that provides a smooth transition of the curvature to the adjacent segment, allowing the base unit to have a substantially smooth and continuous concave inner surface when in the curled configuration. For comparison, a flat cross-section 126 is shown in dotted lines.

[0060] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, the thickness of the bottom panel 130 can decrease gradually in discrete steps between successive portions of the bottom panel between fins. For example, the bottom panel between cantle units C1 and C2 can have a uniform thickness T1-2. Between cantle units C2 and C3, the bottom panel can have a uniform thickness T2-3. And, between cantle units C3 and C4, the bottom panel can have a uniform thickness T3-4. The thickness can decrease gradually in size in the distal direction DD.

[0061] The dimensions of the gripping member can be readily tailored to the size of the lifting device and the intended weight limits to which the device will be subjected. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the gripping member can have a longitudinal length of approximately 12 inches (30 cm) and a width of approximately 10 inches (25 cm). The overall vertical thickness of the proximal end can be approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm). The above dimensions are intended to accommodate a patient weighing up to approximately 500 pounds (225 kg).

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 14, an exemplary embodiment of a method 200 for manufacturing a curling gripping member for a lift device is shown. The method can include selecting a gripping member structure (201) that curls in a longitudinal plane and further selecting the gripping member to include a base unit fabricated from a single piece of material, such as injection-molded plastic (202). The base unit can include a solid, flexible bottom panel, at least one pair of spaced-apart fins extending upward from a top surface, and a pair of rotation-limiting segments joined to the side edges of each fin. The base unit can be injection molded (203) using a single, simple clamshell mold. Once the base unit is molded, a curling mechanism, such as the cabling shown in FIG. 8, can be installed (204). A flexible cover, such as the cover shown in FIG. 11, can then be secured to the base unit (205).

[0063] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, modifications can be made and other embodiments can be devised without departing from the spirit of the present invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gripping member device for use in a lifting device, The device described above, A flexible bottom panel extending longitudinally from the proximal end to the distal end, A plurality of fins extending upward from the aforementioned flexible bottom panel, The aforementioned fins are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, and there are multiple fins, A first series of spaced segments connected to the fins, The first segment is the first segment of the separated segments, the second segment is the second segment of the separated segments, the first fin is the first fin of the fins, and the second fin is the second fin of the fins. The first segment extends longitudinally from the first fin, away from the flexible bottom panel. The first segment supports the first bearing surface, The second segment extends longitudinally from the second fin, The second segment supports the second bearing surface, The first support surface and the second support surface are spaced apart from each other by a first longitudinal distance while the gripping member is not curled. The first support surface and the second support surface are spaced apart from each other by a second longitudinal distance while the gripping member is in an arc shape. A gripping member device wherein the second longitudinal distance is smaller than the first longitudinal distance.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second longitudinal distance is zero, and as a result, the first support surface and the second support surface are in contact with each other while the gripping member is in an arc shape.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first segment further includes a longitudinal undercut between the first bearing surface and the flexible bottom panel.

4. The first segment is, A forward-extending projection that supports the first support surface, A rearward-extending projection that supports the rear support surface, The front longitudinal undercut between the first support surface and the flexible bottom panel, The device according to claim 1, further comprising a rear longitudinal undercut between the rear support surface and the flexible bottom panel.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second segment extends longitudinally from the second fin, away from the flexible bottom panel.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first segment extends laterally for a certain distance beyond the side edge of the flexible bottom panel.

7. The system further comprises a plurality of spaced nibs extending laterally from the aforementioned side edge, The device according to claim 6, wherein each of the nibs supports one of the segments at a pivot point.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible cover panel that slidably contacts each of the fins along the upper surface of each of the fins.

9. The device according to claim 8, further comprising an elastic pad supported by the upper surface of the flexible cover panel.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic pad fixed on the fin.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the elastic pad comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced creanes extending between the fins.

12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a curling mechanism for rotating the fins relative to each other.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the curling mechanism comprises a flexible cable extending longitudinally along the member.

14. Each of the segments having an arc-shaped upper edge further comprises: The device according to claim 13, wherein, while the gripping member is in an arc shape, the curvature of the upper edge of the arc shape is selected to match the curvature of the member.

15. Each of the segments further comprises having a longitudinal arc-shaped channel along the arc-shaped upper edge, The device according to claim 14, wherein the channel is sized to allow the cable to pass through the channel.

16. The cable is A first arm extending longitudinally along the first side surface of the member, A second arm extending longitudinally along the second side surface of the member, The device comprises a loop with a fastener connecting the first arm to the second arm, The fastener adjusts the distance between the first arm and the second arm, as described in claim 13.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the fastener comprises a turnbuckle.

18. The panel further comprises having a variable thickness between the proximal end and the distal end, The device according to claim 1, wherein the variable thickness tapers substantially linearly between the first thickness and the second thickness.

19. The panel further comprises having a variable thickness between the proximal end and the distal end, The device according to claim 1, wherein the variable thickness provides a discontinuous thickness that gradually decreases between consecutive pairs of fins.

20. The device according to claim 1, further comprising the fin having a height that gradually decreases from the proximal end to the distal end.

21. A device for use in a lifting device, The device described above, A flexible bottom panel extending longitudinally from the proximal end to the distal end, and extending longitudinally between the lateral edges, At least one fin extending upward from the flexible bottom panel and extending in the longitudinal direction between the side edges, A first segment attached to the first end of the fin, The device wherein the first segment comprises a projection extending longitudinally from the first fin, away from the flexible bottom panel.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the first segment further comprises a projection that protrudes longitudinally beyond the longitudinal range of the fin, forming a longitudinal undercut between the projection and the flexible bottom panel.

23. The device according to claim 21, wherein the first segment extends in the longitude direction beyond the longitude range of the side edge adjacent to the fin.

24. A method for manufacturing a curling gripping member for a lifting device, The aforementioned method, A step of selecting a gripping member structure that curls within the longitudinal section, The process further includes selecting the gripping member structure to have a base unit made from a single piece of material, The aforementioned base unit is A solid, flexible bottom panel having an upper surface, The first fin extends upward from the aforementioned upper surface, A second fin extending upward from the aforementioned upper surface, A first pair of segments joined to the side ends on both sides of the first fin, The second fin comprises a second pair of segments joined to the side ends on both sides of the second fin, The first fin and the second fin are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. The aforementioned method, A step of injection molding the base unit using a clamshell mold, The steps include installing a curling mechanism within the base unit, A method comprising the step of fixing a flexible cover made of an elastic material to the base unit.

Images